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Ampeg B-100r Rocket Aficionados
- Thread starter barroso
- Start date
The only thing better than a B100-R is two of them!!!!!
The one thing I have noticed is you have to be at least 4 feet away to really hear the tone and to understand how loud it is. Makes it a little tough on one of those tiny, postage stamp size stages.
True story, my girl was using hers at a party recently, tone was great, sat nicely in the mix and she sounded great! Round about the third set I got bored and went out front for a breather and ended up strolling down the block. I swear once I got three or four houses away the only thing you could hear was the bass! I couldn't believe that (one) little amp was doing all that!
I really wonder where the magic of this amp comes in? I feel like you could do a number of things with multiple B100rs. But is the secret in the tone circuits or the cab? I think I may want to grab another and strip the chassis from the cab and use as an extension - I know some here have done that.
Another option/idea is to strip it and make it part of a PF350 fliptop. I really wonder how it would sound. Maybe just get one of the new PF115 cabs and see what it would add? I'm saying this because my PF350 and (2)210avs have been sort of disappointing me lately. I don't hate the rig- but I'd almost rather lug the B100R down 3 flights of stairs and across my icy driveway.
Another option/idea is to strip it and make it part of a PF350 fliptop. I really wonder how it would sound. Maybe just get one of the new PF115 cabs and see what it would add? I'm saying this because my PF350 and (2)210avs have been sort of disappointing me lately. I don't hate the rig- but I'd almost rather lug the B100R down 3 flights of stairs and across my icy driveway.
Btw, if anyone needs a tip for casters (wheels) for this combo, try go to thomann.de and search for article number 235541. Cheap and decent. Nothing for transport outdoors, but then again, working great on my B100-R for wheeling it inside to/fro the stage.
I'm definitely getting another as soon as a decent one shows on Craigslist. They come and go like the wind. One day there will be 2 or 3 out there and then you'll go a month or two without seeing one.
How do you wire yours up?
In what way has the PF-350 and 2X210AVs been disappointing you?
I'm surprised people can play live shows with the B-100r. I wouldnt think there would be enough volume.
Well - overall I like the tone and volume. But I find that it lacks some "boom" it's very good in the mids and maybe a little too harsh on the highs. --Not complaining per se - but if I could somehow beef up a B100R rig (double it up/extension cab) -I'd be very very pleased.
The B100R certainly isn't a powerhouse, but will keep up with 2 guitars, keyboard, and decently loud drummer in a small-medium sized room. I was surprised too. But I lent mine to a buddy of mine who runs an open mic/coverband kind of show once a month. And I stood back - probably 30 or 40 feet and the sound of the B100R was very articulate and sat well in the mix. Mind you - these guys aren't 20 year old metal heads or anything - they set their levels properly and leave them. I will say with 100% certainty that the amp would not have lasted a practice in my old hard rock/alt rock band.
Thanks for the clarification. I ask because I have been saving my pennies for a small rig for some time. The PF350 with the 2 210AVs was at the top of my list for portability. It's this way even with the bass cranked? In the past I used an Eden WT400 with a single Ampeg 210he, but you know that cab is ported. It was always boomy enough, and I even liked the clear punch the small cab gave me. I wonder if it's the lack of ports you don't like. I was excited that a rig that would be so wonderfully light and 350 watts, but this makes me wonder if it may not be the best choice.
There is a B-100R at my drummers house we use for rehearsal, and man I have fallen in LOVE with the tone. Granted we practice with only a snare and a hi hat and him stomping the floor, no PA, and three acoustic guitars. This amp will not be available to me for when we finally play live and it's low wattage makes me wary of actually buying one. We play mainly Beatles-esque stuff and in small to medium venues. I expect crowds of 100-200 people tops. But if we fins ourselves at a larger show, I would hate it if the B-100R couldn't hang.
For that reason I have considered:
PF-350 + PF115he (which is only 250 watts so still a little wary)
Or a PF-800 with a PF-115LF (400 watts, maybe 15 pounds heavier all in all, but could handle any show I do)
But dang, I love the B-100R!
Can NOT beat the portability of the 210s! If you CRANK the bass you get good useable low end, but I feel like it muddies the higher frequencies.
If you were considering the 350- I would personally suggest a portaflex cab - but as always, YMMV. I can see the 210avs handling your Beatles style quite nicely.
Thanks for the input. The PF cabs look awesome indeed. I was sort of enamored with the idea of seeing just how light I could get my rig while staying with Ampeg. I am an Ampeg guy all the way. My big rig is a blueline SVT and 4x12 V4 cab. I'll never rid of it, but it's just overkill for me and I've developed some wrist problems.
The PF cabs are twice the weight of the 210AVs and I would need two to get the full 350 watts. Still easier to handle than my V4 cab (I don't know what it weighs, but it feels as heavy as my SVT head).
But still I toured for years with that 210 and Eden AT400 and never had an issue. At 8 ohms the WT400 was 230 watts. But still it's hard to know, bc I have found that loudness varies among amps with the same watt ratings. And the cab plays a part too. So it's just hard to know.
I have two Ampeg dealers in town, but they never seem to carry the stuff I am interested in trying out. So I would have to buy without trying which is scary. I guess thats why I considered the PF800 and PF114LF. A full 400 watts would do every gig I played and I wouldnt have to take 2 PF cabs around everywhere.
I have heard that the PF350 has a different preamp and sound than the PF500 and PF800 which was why it interested me the most. Bc its based on the mini SVT-VR. Plus its had the least reliability issues from what I can tell.
Have you tried the PF350 with the PF115he? I wonder how loud that sucker gets. Like I have said I used to use 235 watts, but watts between setups isn't apples to apples in many cases.
I've actually been really digging the 1x15 sound. My V4 cab is non ported and I love it too. The HE is non ported, and the LF is ported. So many options, and not enough around to try out.
That's actually the ironic thing about talkbass. Everyone's mantra is "just try it before you buy".
You just can't. Have to research and that's what TB is. I can almost guaranty I couldn't find a 70s Fender jazz in a Massachusetts Guitar Center - and it's not some rarity piece either. The shift to online buying means they stock less in the brick and mortar shops.
/rant
You just can't. Have to research and that's what TB is. I can almost guaranty I couldn't find a 70s Fender jazz in a Massachusetts Guitar Center - and it's not some rarity piece either. The shift to online buying means they stock less in the brick and mortar shops.
/rant
I just bought a second 100r to leave at our rehearsal space. You can't beat the price for one of the best amps around.
As for the worry about volume; I play in a 60s Beatle-esque type band too. Never had a problem. You'll have PA support when playing 100-200 person size venues. I get nothing but complaints on my tone when the sound guy DIs out of the line out of the amp.
As for the worry about volume; I play in a 60s Beatle-esque type band too. Never had a problem. You'll have PA support when playing 100-200 person size venues. I get nothing but complaints on my tone when the sound guy DIs out of the line out of the amp.
Thanks for the vote of confidence! Can you hear your actual amp on stage, or are you going through monitors?
^This...
...minus the "complaints" unless their just the good kind.
Seriously, if you're playing larger venues you should be running through a PA anyway.
